Removable draping and storage frame for luggage



June 17, 1947. K, v. WOLSEY Filed July 16, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet NW? D! Patented June 17, 1947 OFFICE I REMOVABLE DRAPING AND STORAGE FRAME FOR LUGGAGE Karl V. Wolsey, Medford, Mass.

Application July 16, 1945, Serial No. 605,222

2 Claims.

My present invention is directed to improve and perfect luggage, particularly valises, suitcases, and the like suitable to be carried by hand; and includes a novel means for packing and supporting outer clothing, which clothing is kept free of creasing, wrinkling, or damage; together with additional compartments giving a full capacity packing for other articles.

In my present invention I have devised a novel and efficient luggage construction which will enable the outer garments, suits, coats, and the like to be efficiently packed within the smaller confines of a suitcase suitable for hand-carrying, and which will not only protect and support the garments against undue crushing, wrinkling, or creasing but will also provide a plurality of separate drawers or compartments to receive other smaller articles, which are thereby separated from each other and from the outer garments.

A further object of the invention is to provide means which will enable a removable non-creasing clothing-carrier to be fitted in and removed bodily from the enclosing receptacle, such as a suitcase, and thus permit the removable element to be completely folded and packed before it is fitted into the suitcase. The framework constituting the removable element protects the outer garments fitted thereon from crushing contact either with the wall or ends of the enclosing receptacle or from the separate articles packaged within the same.

In carrying out my invention I provide a framework, preferably removable from the suitcase,

valise, or the like in which it is fitted for'transporting, which framework has provision for a plurality of separately removable drawers or boxlike receptacles properly proportioned for carrying different articles. Thus, one receptacle can be of suitable proportion to carry two or more pairs of shoes, which shoes are thus protected from contacting or causing damage to the other garments, Another compartment is provided to handle a plurality of shirts, underwear; and still another receptacle may carry toilet articles, receptacles, or the like.

This predetermined and protecting space includes a predetermined top form over which the outer garments are draped, giving a full packaging capacity for such garments between the framework and the enclosing suitcase or valise walls.

While I prefer to make the inner framework removable, it is feasible to havethe same incorporated within the suitcase and to provide means for opening the suitcase to give ready access to the outer garments for packing or removing, as well as to give access to the removable compartments which are in the form of open boxes or sliding drawers.

An important feature consists inthe special form at the upper end or top of the inner framework, whether this framework is removable or intended to be fixed Within the suitcase, such form being convex and of substantial width so that it constitutes a non-wrinkling support for the garments tobe draped thereover andalso constitutes a supporting element, which, combined with the space at each side of the inner frame, supports the full lengthof the garments, thus preventing wrinkling or creasing,

Further important features, advantages, and novel combinations will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed.

Referring to the drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of my present invention: l Fig. 1" is a perspective view illustrating my present invention;

Fig. 2 is aperspective view of the'framework with the top form broken away;

Fig. 3' is an enlarged side elevational view of the framework, the top form, and the compartments carried by and removable from the frame- Work;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the framework and the compartments on the same scale as Fig. 3, and

'Fig; 5 is a perspective view of a modified top form alone which can be utilized independently of the framework.

As shown in the drawings, I have embodied my invention in a standard size of hand luggage, such as a typical suitcase, having a flat bottom portion l back 2 rigidly connected therewith, and with a hinged side and top, comprising a side portion 5 hinged at 6 and I to the bottom part I, and with the top 8 carrying a handle [0.

Preferably theend portions are arranged'with a curved line of division, the stationary ends M, which are a part of the bottom section, having curved edges l2which complement curved edges I8 on the end portions l6, N5 of the cover section, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. One or more usual looks or latches 2ll'on one part, and 2| on' the other arealso provided.

While'my novel clothes-carrying framework may be rigidly secured to the bottom I, preferably it isremovable therefrom bodily when the hinged cover-section is open and, of course, it may be readily packed'while thusremoved and simplyxreplaced, the cover section then bein 3 closed, and the latch or latches 20 and 2| engaged and locked.

As shown in Fig. 2, my removable framework comprises a base 25 which may correspond in size and area with the bottom portion I of the luggage. This member 25 may be of any suit able material, preferably light and sufiiciently strong to carry the framework and the individual compartments.

I may use metal, aluminum, or magnesium alloy, or a sheet of suitable synthetic plastic. Secured to the base 25, I provide a wire-like framework, also preferably of light and strong material. This framework consists of a U- shaped member at each end of the base 25, as indicated at 26, 26 associated with a cooperating outer U-shaped member 21, 2'! united by cross-braces 28, 28 at suitable intervals. The space between these parallel U-shaped members 26 and 21 is designed to provide a sufficient packaging area for the outer garments which are carried on the framework and to protect the same against crushing when the sides of the luggage are closed.

One or more intermediate braces 29 may be fitted to still further strengthen each pair of these end U-shaped members, as best shown in Fig.2.; Across the top portion of these U-shaped end me'mbersQI provide a curved form 30, also of light, strong material, which form 30 extends from one "end frame to the other and may be welded'o'r otherwise secured to each, thus rein- 4 out first removing them and rummaging thru to obtain the desired article.

Various proportions and divisions for these slidable receptacles may be designed within the scope and limit of my invention. As herein shown and illustrated, I have provided a series 7 of intermediate supporting and bracing framelike elements, such for example as the vertical wires 63, 43 of Fig. 2 extending from the base 25, to which the ends are secured, to the top rods 33 to which the upper ends are welded or secured, and a plurality of horizontally bracing slide or guide members 44 suitably spaced to receive a Lucite, or the like, receptacle 45 thereforcing and strengthening the top of the end frames, which are thus braced both at the top and on the'base 5. This curved form 30 is designed to be of suitable width, area, and proportion in comparison with the inner end U- frames 26, 26 to enable the outer apparel, coats, suits, trousers, skirts, overcoats, or the like to be laid over" this curved form 30 and to be draped downwardly, the same being protected against rumpling when the luggage sides are closed'by the spacing and protecting outer U-frame 21 at eachend.

i 'Preferably,"also, I' provide an additional pair of bracing 'wires cooperating with the top 30 as shown'at 33, 33, which rods can be welded to the end frames as well as to the sides of my curved form 30, thus strengthenin and stiffening the same as well'as the entire framework; and,*fuithermore,'these rods 33, 33 constitute tracks on whicha'slidin 'receptacle can be fitted, which is adapted to slide on the rods 33, 33 and 'underneaththe form 30 and which constitutes a compartment in which small articles, neckties, or the like may be packed. This sliding compartment 35 isindependently sustained and can beremoved while the clothing is still draped over the form 30 and while the form is in the suitcase as shown in Fig. 1.

I preferably provide a plurality of separately removable'box-like receptacles, drawers, or the like, of suitable proportions which may be varied in size and area 'within the limits accorded by the framework, constructing and arranging such plurality of receptacles in various ways as may be desired. If the framework is designed to be permanently fixed in the luggage, then these compartments can be slidably withdrawn from thefront; as indicated at and 4|; Fig. 1.

Furthermore, .I contemplate making these i variousicompartments of transparent material,

such asLucite; which is light and'cle'an and peri mits visibility of the articles packed therein With.-

on and also a divergent pair of horizontal wires 46, see Fig. 2, on which the slidable receptacle 4| is'supported.

In addition to this arrangement, any other desired arrangements for compartments can be made. As herein shown, anend compartment 48 is removably fitted between the frame rods while a vertically fitted box or receptacle E9 and an additional compartment 58 are provided, together with a small top drawer 5| for jewelry or other One of these various .c0mpart' small articles. merits can be especially proportioned and fitted to receive shoes, for example; another to receive shirts, another of appropriate size and dimensions to receive underwear, thus completely filling to capacity the interior of the framework while protecting each article against damage, mussing, or injury, while also protecting them and the outer clothing which is draped or hung over the form 38. Any desired combinations and sizes as well as arrangements of these compartments can be appropriately designed and made, cooperating with the size, use, and style of the enclosing hand luggage itself.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a slight modification wherein the clothes-carrying form 33' is made independently of the compartment carrying framework. As shown in Fig. 5, I have secured the clothes-carrying form 39' to a pair of end U -shapedfrarnes 55, 55, each having a cross-brace 56 and a hook 57. These U-shaped frames 55 are concentric with but spaced from the form 353' to provide a protecting space for the apparel, which may be draped over the form 36 and then detachably hooked or secured in a suitcase, trunk,

or other article. a I

My novel feature of a form with protecting end members constructed and arranged with suitable space for the draping of a plurality of articles, without wrinkling, for transporting, storing, or

the like is thus attained. I wish to claim this partments filled without danger of intermingling;

and giving a full, firm packing capacity.

Where the framework is secured withinthe suitcase, a suitable space between the fixed cover 2 andthe form 30 allows the apparel tobe lowered therein and then. folded over, but where the framework is removable, as is preferable, then of course the entire framework can be packed, the apparel laid over the form, and then the unit assembled into the enclosing cover of the luggage.

I claim:

1. Improved luggage of the kind described, comprising an outer covering and a removable inner unit, said inner unit consisting in a wirelike framework, having a convex top portion and a plurality of removable box-like compartments fitted beneath the convex top, in combination with a supporting base and a pair of end frames, said end frames being united with the convex top, together with a plurality of bracing elements to support selected compartments.

2. Improved luggage of the kind described, comprising an outer covering and a. removable inner unit, said inner unit consisting in a wirelike framework, having a convex top portion and a plurality of removable box-like compartments fitted beneath the convex top, in combination with a supporting base and a pair of end frames, said end frames being united with the convex top, said end frames having a convex portion of greater diameter than that of the convex top, and constituting spacing elements for apparel draped on the convex top and reinforcements for contact with the outer enclosing luggage walls.

KARL V. WOLSEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 10 file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 20 Number Name Date Wheary Aug. 9, 1932 Frank] Jan. 17, 1933 Eusey Oct. 1, 1918 Arrowood Sept. 15, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Oct. 14, 1901 Great Britain Mar. 23, 1865 France Sept. 25, 1933 

